Non-lethal gamecock sparring match, equipment &amp; methods

ABSTRACT

A non-lethal method of cock fighting includes providing each gamecock with a garment such as a vest or collar that at least partially covers the body of the gamecock and carries a sensor at a predetermined location on the garment and a signal transmission device. The signal transmission device generates a signal when the sensor is struck by a gamecock. The spurs of each gamecock are covered with a protective device to prevent the spurs from causing injury during the cock fight and their beaks are taped shut. A scoring apparatus is provided that is responsive to the signal and includes a visual display that displays a numerical score for each gamecock. The numerical score is based, at least in part, on the number strikes detected by the sensor being struck over a predetermine time period during the cock fight.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.10/363,721, entitled “Non-lethal Gamecock Sparing Match, Equipment &Methods,” filed Mar. 5, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which in turn isa national phase application of PCT international application No.PCT/US01/27611, filed Sep. 6, 2001, entitled “Non-lethal GamecockSparing Match, Equipment & Methods,” which in turn is based onprovisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 60/231,252, entitled“Non-lethal Gamecock Sparing Match, Equipment & Method,” filed Sep. 8,2000. All of these related applications are incorporated herein byreference and made a part of this application.

DEFINITIONS

The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” andother forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and beopen ended in that an item or items following any one of these words isnot meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant tobe limited to only the listed item or items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many countries, and in some states within the United States, gamecockfighting is an accepted form of entertainment. The Latin and Asiancultures in particular enjoy and promote this form of entertainment. Inmany countries, and in many states of the United States, however, thisform of entertainment is illegal, primarily because of the injury ordeath incurred by the gamecocks. In some situations the gamecocks haveknife blades attached to their spurs, making their matches according tocritics an even more of a lethal and brutal form of entertainment. Thiscultural clash of values can be resolved if a practical, non-lethal formof cock fighting is devised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objectives of this invention are (1) to provide a non-lethalgamecock sparring match that avoids death and eliminates essentially anyserious injury to the gamecocks, and (2) equipment, including an arena,scoring vest, and scoring apparatus, that facilitates wagering on thegamecock sparring match. (As used herein, “gamecock” includes any bird,male or female, which engages in fighting with another bird).

This invention has several features, no single one of which is solelyresponsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope ofthis invention as expressed by the claims that follow, its moreprominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering thisdiscussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled,“DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS,” one will understandhow the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include,but are not limited to, providing (a) a game that lends itself towagering with safe guards that prevent cheating, (b) providingprotective equipment for the gamecocks, and, most importantly, (c)avoidance of a fatal injury to a gamecock during a match.

The first feature of this invention is that it includes a device thatdetects strikes received by individual gamecocks during a cock fight.This device is a garment adapted to be worn by a gamecock that includesat least one sensor positioned at a predetermined location on thegarment that is activated when struck by an opponent gamecock during thecourse of the cock fight. Preferably, the garment has a weight that isless than 10 ounces.

The second feature is that the sensor generates a signal only when it isstruck with a sufficiently high, predetermined force by an opponentgamecock. Thus, only blows of significant force are counted as scoringblows. The garment may have a plurality of sensors where at least someof the sensors correspond to different numerical scores. Individualsensors are located at different positions on the garment, preferably atleast one sensor generating a higher numerical score than anothersensor. One type of sensor includes a piezoelectric film sandwichedbetween a pair of resilient members.

The third feature is that the garment carries a transmitter thattransmits to a scoring apparatus a radio signal each time a sensor orsensors are struck by an opponent gamecock during the cock fight. Thereis a microprocessor carried by the garment that is programmed togenerate digital signals corresponding to different numerical scoresdepending on which sensor is struck during the cock fight.

The fourth feature is that the garment may be in the form of a vest wornon the torso of the gamecock or in the form of a collar worn around theneck of the gamecock. When a collar is used, typically a vest is alsoworn on the torso of the same gamecock and the vest includes thetransmitter. In this case, the sensor carried by the collar is connectedto this transmitter on the vest. Consequently, the transmitter transmitsto the scoring apparatus a radio signal each time the sensor carried bythe collar is struck with sufficient predetermined force during the cockfight.

One embodiment of the vest form of the garment comprises a flexible,light weight sheet having at least one connector element, or more, thatenables the sheet to be wrapped around a portion of the gamecock andfastened to hold the garment in position on the gamecock. There areopenings in the sheet for each leg of the gamecock. Preferably, theconnector element or elements are adjustable to allow the garment to bewrapped around gamecocks of different sizes. The connector element orelements facilitate attaching and detaching the garment to a gamecock.

One embodiment of the collar form of the garment comprises a flexible,light weight tubular member adapted to be worn around the neck of thegamecock with the head of the gamecock protruding through an open end oftubular member. Thus, the head of the gamecock is not exposed or coveredby the garment during the cock fight. The tubular member may havedifferent configurations. It may simply be a knitted or other flexible,unitary tube structure that stretches and is thus easy to slip over thehead of a gamecock. Or, it may be formed from a sheet member havingopposed ends with a connector element or elements thereat. The opensheet member is wrapped around the neck of the gamecock and then theconnector element or elements are coupled together, forming the tubularmember. When the connector element or elements are uncoupled, thetubular member is opened up into the sheet member to facilitate removalof the garment from the neck of the gamecock. There is an electricallead extending from the tubular member that is adapted to be connectedto a transmitter carried by another garment worn by the same gamecockwearing the collar.

The fifth feature is that this invention includes a cock fighting andscoring system used when a pair of gamecocks engages in a non-lethalcock fight. This cock fighting and scoring system includes a garmentworn by each gamecock and a scoring apparatus. The garment includes atleast one sensor that provides a signal when struck by an opponentgamecock. The garment for each gamecock at least partially covers thebody of the gamecock. The scoring apparatus is responsive to the signalsgenerated during the cock fight when the sensors on the garments arestruck with sufficient predetermined force. Preferably, the scoringapparatus has a visual display that displays a numerical score for eachgamecock. The visual display may be illuminated each time one gamecockstrikes a sensor carried on the garment of the other gamecock, and anaudible alarm may be include in the scoring apparatus that is activatedeach time one gamecock strikes a sensor carried on the garment itsopponent gamecock. The numerical score is based, at least in part, onthe number strikes detected by the sensors over a predetermine timeperiod during the cock fight. Optionally, the scoring apparatus isdisabled after a first predetermined time period and then enable after asecond predetermined time period that is shorter than said firstpredetermined time period. In other words, the gamecock sparring matchis conducted in rounds with rest periods between rounds. The firstpredetermined time period or round has a duration from about 10 to about30 seconds and the second predetermined time period or rest period has aduration from about 10 to about 20 seconds.

The sixth feature is that this invention includes an arena where anon-lethal gamecock sparring match is conducted in which a pair ofgamecocks each wear a protective garment having at least one electronicsensor activated when struck by one of the gamecocks. The arena includesan area surrounded, at least partially, by a barrier that separatesspectators from gamecocks engaged in the sparring match in this area. Ascoring apparatus such as discussed above is positioned in view ofspectators that responds when a sensor is struck by a gamecock todisplay a cumulative numerical score for each gamecock. The arena isequipped with an electronic wagering device to which the spectators haveaccess to enable the spectators to wager on which gamecock will be thewinner of the match based on their respective numerical scores.

This invention also includes a non-lethal method of cock fightingcomprising the steps of

-   -   (a) equipping each gamecock with a protective body garment such        as discussed above including a sensor activated when struck by a        gamecock during the cock fight, and    -   (b) providing a scoring apparatus such as discussed above that        responds when a sensor is struck by a gamecock to display a        cumulative numerical score for each gamecock.

Preferably, this method includes a plurality of rounds having apredetermined time duration separated by rest periods having apredetermined time duration, the scoring apparatus being disable at theend of each round and enabled after each rest period. Preferably, inthis method the gamecocks have their beaks taped in a manner to preventinjury and their claws trimmed in a manner to prevent injury.Preferably, in this method spur covers are worn by each gamecock thatprevent the spurs of the gamecocks from causing injury during the cockfight.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The preferred embodiments of this invention, illustrating all itsfeatures, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict thenovel and non-obvious gamecock sparring match of this invention andrelated equipment and methods as shown in the accompanying drawing,which is for illustrative purposes only. This drawing includes thefollowing figures (Figs.), with like numerals indicating like parts:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the first embodiment of thegamecock sparring match of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the arena where the gamecock sparringmatch of this invention is conducted.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a wagering device used inconnection with the gamecock sparring match of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of two gamecocks ready to engage in a sparringmatch and equipped with the scoring vest of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the scoring vest of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a glove attached to each leg of thegamecocks to prevent injury by covering the spurs on the legs of thesecocks.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the glove shown in FIG. 6

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are, respectively, left and right hand sideelevational views of the gloves having their connectors attached to legsof the gamecocks.

FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of one of the sensors carried by thevest shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an assembly of the components of thesensor shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the scoreboard used in connectionwith the sparring match of this invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the head of one of thegamecocks.

FIG. 13 is an electrical diagram illustrating the interaction betweenthe scoring vests and transmission device on individual vests and theradio signal receiver.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the second embodiment of this inventionshowing two gamecocks ready to engage in a sparring match and equippedwith the scoring vest of this invention shown in FIG. 5 and the scoringcollar of this invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the heads of the twogamecocks shown in FIG. 14 wearing the scoring collar of this invention.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of one of the scoring collars shownin FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the scoring collarshown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of another embodiment of the scoring collar ofthis invention.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the scoring collar shown in FIG.16 connected to the opened scoring vest shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the gamecock sparring match of thisinvention is conducted in an arena 10 where a pair of gamecocks 12 a and12 b engage in a non-lethal cock sparring match. This sparring matchincludes a series of rounds with rest periods between rounds. Youngergamecocks less than one year old, referred to as stags, engage in sevenrounds. Gamecocks older than one year engage in twelve rounds.Preferably, each round has a duration of approximately 20 seconds, andthe rounds are of equal duration. Nominally, the rest periods betweenrounds have a duration of 10 seconds, but circumstances may dictatedrest periods of a longer duration when a referee determines that unusualcircumstances require a delay.

There are a number of different divisions such as, for example, heavyweight, light weight, and medium weight. The gamecocks 12 a and 12 b arefirst weighed by the referee on a scale 14 in the arena 10 to determinetheir respective weights to confirm that they are in the same weightdivision. Each gamecock 12 a and 12 b wears a scoring vest 16, whichalso serves to protect the gamecocks. These vest 12 a and 12 b cover thetorsos of the gamecocks 12 a and 12 b. The referee places a vest 16 aand 16 b, respectively, on each gamecock 12 a and 12 b in a vesting room18 in the arena 10. The referee ensures that there is no tampering withthe vest 16 to prevent cheating. Consequently, a fair match is insuredby the referee.

As best shown in FIG. 5, each vest 16 a and 16 b includes five sensors19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d, and 19 e connected to a transmitting device 20(discussed herein subsequently in greater detail) that transmits a radiosignal to an analog signal receiver 22. The frequency of the radiosignal will vary depending on which sensor 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d, and19 e on which vest 16 a or 16 b is struck during the course of any givenround. Each time a sensor 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d, and 19 e is struck,the gamecock making the strike will score. The score is dependent onwhich sensor is struck. The sensor 19 e corresponds to 10 points; thesensors 19 c and 19 d correspond to 5 points; the sensors 19 a and 19 bcorrespond to 1 point. For example: If the gamecock 12 a strikes thesensor 19 e on the vest 16 b of gamecock 12 b, the gamecock 12 a scores10 points. If gamecock 12 a strikes the sensor 19 d on the vest 16 b ofgamecock 12 b, the gamecock 12 a scores 5 points. If gamecock 12 astrikes the sensor 19 b on the vest 16 b of gamecock 12 b, the gamecock12 a scores 1 point.

As best illustrated in FIG. 13, the frequency of the radio signalgenerated by the transmitting device 20 varies depending on what sensoron which vest 16 is struckRadio signals at the frequencies f₁ to f₅correspond to strikes of the sensors 19 a through 19 e on the vest 16 a,and radio signals at the frequencies f₆ to f₁₀ correspond to strikes ofthe sensors 19 a through 19 e on the vest 16 b. Consequently, the analogsignal receiver 22 is able to distinguish which sensor, sensor19 a, 19b, 19 c, 19 d, or 19 e, on which vest, vest 16 a or 16 b, has beenstruck.

The analog signal receiver 22 forwards the frequency information of theradio signal it receives from an individual sensor being struck to apersonal computer 24. The personal computer 24 processes thisinformation, converting it into a digital signal corresponding to anumerical score that is displayed on an electronic scoreboard 26appearing on a monitor 28 of the computer 24. A number of monitors 28are located throughout the arena 10 and positioned in view ofspectators. As mentioned, the points scored for a strike or hit dependson which sensor is struck. The different points are displayed as numbers29 on the electronic scoreboard 26. For example: When the sensor 19 a onthe vest 16 a is struck by the gamecock 12 b, an analog to digitalconverter 90 provides a digital signal to the microprocessor 42 whichturns on the transmitting device 20 of the vest 16 a to generate a radiosignal at a frequency of f₁. The radio signal at a frequency of f₁ issent to the receiver 22. The computer 24 is programmed to recognize aradio signal at a frequency of f₁ as a score of 1 point for gamecock 12b and activates the electronic scoreboard 26 accordingly. When thesensor 19 e on the vest 16 b is struck by the gamecock 12 a, an analogto digital converter 91 provides a digital signal to the microprocessor42 which turns on the transmitting device 20 of the vest 16 b togenerate a radio signal at a frequency of f₁₀. The radio signal at afrequency of f₁₀ is sent to the receiver 22. The computer 24 again isprogrammed to recognize that the radio signal at the frequency of f₁₀ isa score of 5 points for gamecock 12 b and activates the electronicscoreboard 26 accordingly.

Preferably, the numerals 29 are illuminated each time a gamecock scoresby striking a sensor on its opponent's vest. For example, the numbers 29may be light emitting diodes that blink on and off. Optionally, anaudile alarm 30 is also activated each time a gamecock scores bystriking a sensor on its opponent's vest. Thus, a heighten sense ofexcitement is generated during the course of each round of the sparringmatch as each individual gamecock scores points by striking a sensor onhis opponent's vest.

A typical vest 16 worn by a gamecock is shown best in FIG. 5. It is madefrom a light-weight fabric material and the total weight of the vest 16is typically 5 to 6 ounces. The vest 16 has a central triangular bodyportion 30 with connector segments 31, 32, and 33 extending from eachcorner of the triangle body portion 30. There is an opening 35, 36 and37 also nearby each corner of the triangular body portion 30. Theopenings 35 and 36, respectively, allow the right and left leg of agamecock to be extended there through and the opening 37 allows the neckof a gamecock to be extended there through. The five sensors 19 a, 19 b,19 c, 19 d, and 19 e are positioned at predetermined locations so thatthe first sensor 19 a is on the right back side of a gamecock, thesecond sensor 19 b is on the left back side of a gamecock, the thirdsensor 19 c is on the right side of a gamecock near the heart, thefourth sensor 19 d is on left side of a gamecock near the heart, and thefifth sensor 19 e is located centrally near the trachea of a gamecock.As discussed above, these sensors 19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d, and 19 e havebeen assigned different numerical values.

Mounted to each connector segment 31, 32, and 33 are hook and fabricconnectors 40, made for example by the Velcro corporation, thatfacilitate securing the vest 16 when wrapped around the body of agamecock as best depicted in FIG. 4, holding the vest in position untildetached. Attached to the connector segment 33 is the transmittingdevice 20, including an antenna 20 a. The transmitting device 20 iselectrically connected to a microprocessor 42. Both the transmittingdevice 20 and microprocessor 42 are powered by a battery 44 alsoattached to the connector segment 33. The five sensors 19 a, 19 b, 19 c,19 d, and 19 e are electrically connected to the microprocessor 42 and,as discussed above, the microprocessor of each vest 16 a and 16 b willindicate to the transmitting device 20 which sensor has been struck.Depending on which sensor has been struck, the transmitting device 20transmits the radio signal at a given frequency different from thefrequencies when the other sensors are struck. The transmitting device20 on each vest 16 a and 16 b transmits radio signals identified bytheir frequency as coming from vest 16 a or vest16 b.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each sensor19 a, 19 b, 19 c, 19 d, and 19 eincludes a piezoelectric film 72 sandwiched between a pair of deformablemembers 74 and 76. These deformable members 74 and 76 may be made of aplastic foam material. When the member 74 facing outward is struck byone of the gamecocks 12 a or 12 b, as the case may be, with apredetermined force, the pressure on the piezoelectric film 72 filmproduces a change in the output voltage of the sensor struck. Thischange in voltage, an analog signal, is detected by the microprocessor42 which turns on the transmitting device 20 that generates a radiosignal of a predetermined frequency corresponding to the sensor beingstruck on an individual vest 16 a or 16 b. A signal will only begenerated when the impact produces a change in output voltage for thepiezoelectric film 72 of a certain magnitude, for example greater thancertain voltage.

As shown in FIG. 11, the scoreboard 26 includes a clock 50 which timesthe rounds and display panels 52 and 54 respectively for round scoresand cumulative scores. The clock is designed to send a stop signal tothe computer 24 at the end of each timed rounded. The scoreboard 26shows that the gamecock 12 a wearing vest 16 a (green colored) had inround 1, three hits on sensor 19 e of his opponent's vest 16 b, one hiton either sensor 19 c or sensor 19 d on his opponent's vest 16 b, andfive hits on sensor 19 a or 19 b on his opponent's vest 16 b. This givesthe gamecock 12 a a total score of 40 points for round 1. The scoreboard26 shows that the gamecock 12 b wearing the vest 16 b (red colored)struck on his opponents vest 16 a the sensor 19 e twice, the sensors 19c or 19 d six times, and the sensors 19 a or 19 b three times for atotal score in round one of 53 points. Thus, the gamecock 12 a wearingthe red vest 16 a won round one. The scoreboard 26 exhibits inindividual display panels 52 the total score for each round for eachgamecock 12 a and 12 b. It also exhibits in individual displays 52 thecumulative scores for the entire match for each gamecock 12 a and 12 b.

In addition to the vest 16, the gamecocks 12 a and 12 b also wearprotective gloves 60 that are attached to their legs 13 and cover theirspurs 12 c. These gloves 60 include a large spherical foam member 62attached to, for example, a leather strap 64 with grommets 66 in it thatallow the strap to be wound about the legs 13 of the gamecocks 12 a and12 b as depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B. There is a cavity 68 in thespherical foam member 62 that receives an individual spur 12 c. Inaddition to the gloves 60, as shown in FIG. 12, the beaks of thegamecocks 12 a and 12 b are taped, for example, the upper beak 12 d iscovered with tape 70 and the claws 12 e of the cocks 12 a and 12 b aretrimmed. Consequently, there is little likelihood that the gamecocks 12a and 12 b will seriously injure one another during the course of thesparring match.

In accordance with this invention, as depicted in FIG. 2, the arena 10preferably comprises a circular wall 80 defining a ring 82 in which thegamecocks 12 a and 12 b engage in the sparring match. A handler for eachgame places his or her gamecock in one of two centrally positionedrectangular boxes 83 a and 83 b designated by lines 84 drawn on thefloor 10 a of the arena 10. A referee is also present. The arena 10preferably has a series of concentric rows of chairs 86. Preferably,there is a wagering device 88 in front of each chair. As shown in FIG.3, these wagering devices 88 each include a slot 90 that accepts awagering card 92. This wagering card 92 may be purchased before thematch begins and allows a spectator to place bets using thepre-purchased amount on the wagering card. For example, a wagering card92 may represent $10,000 worth of pre-purchased possible wagers. Whenthe card is inserted into the slot 90, one of a series of buttons 94 ispushed by the spectator/better. For example, if the spectator/betterpushes the button 94 a indicating a wager of $3000, this leaves $7,000in value remaining on the wagering card. The spectator/better thenpushes either the red button 94 b designating a bet on gamecock 12 a asthe winner or green button 94 c designating a bet on gamecock 12 b asthe winner. This can constitute a bet for a round or for the entirematch. When the entry button 94 d is pushed a ticket 96 is printed outconfirming the amount of the wager and gamecock on which the wager hasbeen placed. Another button 94 e allows correction of a wager, and yetanother button 94 f allows cancellation of a wager.

SUMMARY

The non-lethal gamecock sparring match of this invention allows thehandlers of the gamecocks 12 a and 12 b to conduct a sparring matchwithout any significant risk of injury to the gamecocks. This isaccomplished by taping the upper beak 12 d of each cock, placing thegloves 60 on the spurs 12 c of the gamecocks 12 a and 12 b, trimming theclaws 12 e of the gamecocks, and protecting the gamecocks with the vest16. The referee places the vest 16 on each of the gamecocks 12 a and 12b and ensures that the vests are not tampered with. After the refereeweighs the gamecocks to make sure that they are equally matched, thehandlers place the gamecocks in the center of the arena 10 within therectangle boxes 83 a and 83 b. An audible alarm (for example a ringingbell) is generated at the beginning of each round and the scoringapparatus is activated so that scores are automatically displayed on thescoreboard as each cock strikes a sensor carried by the vest 16 worn byits opponent. As soon as a round is over, the sensor is automaticallydeactivated in accordance with a stop signal that is transmitted to thecomputer 24. The handlers restrain the gamecocks during the rest periodbetween rounds, and then again place them in the rectangle boxes 83 aand 83 b for the next round. When the next round begins, the scoreboard26 is automatically activated during the course of the round and is thenagain automatically disabled as soon as the time period for the roundhas expired. If for any reason one cock is totally outclassed and aftera predetermined number of no or a minimal score is achieved, thisgamecock will be declared a loser and the match goes by default to theother gamecock. The wagering device 88 will be automatically activatedand deactivated as the rounds advance.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of this invention depicted in FIGS. 14 through 18is similar to the first embodiment. The principal difference is the useof collars 100 a and 100 b respectively worn around the necks 12 f ofthe gamecocks 12 a and 12 b. Each of the collars 100 a and 100 bcomprises a tube structure 102 having mounted thereto five sensors 103through 107 (FIG. 18). The sensors 103 through 107 are essentially thesame as the sensors 19 a-19 e used with the vests 16 a and 16 b and theyprovide an electrical signal when struck with a sufficiently highpredetermined force by an opponent gamecock. The signals from eachsensor 103-107 corresponds to different numerical scores similar to thefirst embodiment. As best illustrated in FIG. 15, the sensors 103-107are located at different positions on the tube structure 102, preferablytwo on each side of the head 12 g and/or neck 12 f of the gamecock andone behind the comb 12 h of the gamecock.

Although the collars 100 a and 100 b may be used without a scoring vest,the preferred manner of using the collars is to connect electrically thesensors 103-107 to the transmitting device 20 attached to each of thevests 16 a and 16 b, respectively, worn by each gamecock 12 a and 12 b.If the collars are used alone, they would each include a transmittingdevice 20. There are electrical leads 109 through 113, respectively,extending from each sensor 103-107 on the collars 100 a and 100 b. Asshown in FIG. 19, these leads 109-113 are all connected to thetransmitting device 20 attached to the vest 16 a or 16 b as the case maybe.

Straps 110, 111, and 112 extend from the tube structure 102. The strap110 is connected near the one open end 102 a of the tube structure 102and the straps 111 and 112 are connected opposite each other near theother open end 102 b of the tube structure. The strap 110 is positionedalong side the base of the comb 12 h on top of the head 12 g with itsouter end 110 a secured to the upper beak 12 d of the gamecock with thetape 70. The straps 111 and 112 are attached to the vest 16 a or 16 b asthe case may be of the gamecock wearing the collar 100 a or 100 b as thecase may be. These straps 111 and 112 may have fasteners 116 at theirends to assist in holding these straps to a vest. For example, hook andfabric type fasteners may be used where a hook type fastener 116 grabsthe fabric forming a vest.

The tube structure 102 may be a unitary structure 121 that is pulledover the head 12 g of a gamecock such as shown in FIG. 17 or it may be asheet 120 that is wrapped around the neck 12 f of a gamecock as shown inFIG. 18. The unitary tube structure 121 is made for example by knittingyarn and it will stretch as it is pulled over the head 12 g of agamecock either to put the collar 110 a on the gamecock or take it off.The sheet 120 has a series of aligned connectors 122 and 124respectively on opposed sides 120 a and 120 b of the sheet. Afterwrapping the sheet 120 around the neck 12 f of a gamecock, theconnectors 122 and 124 are coupled together. To remove the sheet 120from a gamecock, these connectors 122 and 124 are uncoupled. In bothcases, the straps 110, 111, and 112 are secured as discussed above.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated ofcarrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process ofmaking and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as toenable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make anduse this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from that discussed abovewhich are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention tolimit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternateconstructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention asgenerally expressed by the following claims, which particularly pointout and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:

1. An arena where a non-lethal gamecock sparring match is conducted between a pair of gamecocks each carrying a sensor-transmitter device activated each time it is struck to transmit a scoring signal, said arena including a barrier at least partially enclosing an area in which a sparring match between said gamecocks is conducted, a scoring apparatus nearby said area that responds to each scoring signal transmitted during a sparring match to display a score for each gamecock, a plurality of seats for spectators outside said area, around said barrier, and positioned with respect to said area and said scoring apparatus to enable spectators seated in said seats to see the sparring match and the scoring apparatus, and a plurality of electronic wagering devices, at least some of which are nearby individual seats, said wagering devices enabling the spectators to wager on which gamecock will be the winner of the match based on their respective scores.
 2. An arena where a non-lethal gamecock sparring match is conducted between a pair of gamecocks each carrying a sensor-transmitter device activated each time it is struck to transmit a scoring signal, said arena including an area surrounded, at least partially, by a barrier that at least partially encloses an area in which a sparring match between said gamecocks is conducted, a plurality of seats for spectators behind the barrier outside said area and positioned with respect to the area to enable spectators seated in said seats to see the sparring match, a scoring apparatus positioned in view of seated spectators that responds to each scoring signal transmitted during a sparring match to display a cumulative numerical score for each gamecock, and a plurality of electronic wagering devices, at least some of which are nearby individual seats, said wagering devices enabling the spectators to wager on which gamecock will be the winner of the match based on their respective numerical scores, said wagering devices accepting a wagering card.
 3. An arena where a non-lethal gamecock sparring match is conducted comprising an area surrounded, at least partially, by a barrier that separates spectators from a pair of gamecocks engaged in a sparring match in said area, each gamecock wearing a garment that at least partially covers its torso, said garment having thereon at least one electronic sensor activated when struck during the match, a scoring apparatus positioned in view of spectators that responds when a sensor is struck by a gamecock to display a score for each gamecock, and a wagering device to which the spectators have access to enable said spectators to wager on which gamecock will be the winner of the match based on said scores.
 4. The arena of claim 3 where the scoring apparatus displays a cumulative numerical score for each gamecock.
 5. The arena of claim 3 where the match comprises a plurality of rounds having a predetermined time duration separated by rest periods having a predetermined time duration, said scoring apparatus being disabled at the end of each round and enabled after each rest period, and said numerical score is based, at least in part, on the number of strikes during each round detected by said sensor being struck with at least a minimum predetermined force.
 6. The arena of claim 5 where the scoring apparatus has a visual display that is illuminated each time one gamecock strikes a sensor of the garment of the other gamecock with said minimum predetermined force.
 7. The arena of claim 5 where an audible alarm is activated each time one gamecock strikes a sensor of the garment of the other gamecock with said minimum predetermined force.
 8. The arena of claim 3 including a plurality of seats for the spectators and a plurality of wagering devices nearby at least some of the individual seats.
 9. The arena of claim 3 including where the wagering devices accept a wagering card.
 10. A device that detects strikes received by individual gamecocks during a cock fight, including a garment adapted to be worn on a torso of a gamecock, said garment including at least one sensor positioned at a predetermined location on the garment that is activated when struck during the cock fight, said sensor generating and transmitting a radio signal each time said sensor is struck during the cock fight.
 11. The device of claim 10 where the garment has a plurality of sensors.
 12. The device of claim 11 where at least some of the sensors correspond to different numerical scores.
 13. The device of claim 11 where individual sensors are located at different positions on the garment, at least one sensor generating a higher numerical score than another sensor.
 14. The device of claim 10 where the garment has a weight that is less than 10 ounces.
 15. The device of claim 10 where there are a plurality of sensors carried by the garment, said sensors being located at different predetermined positions so that, when the garment is worn by a gamecock, there is a first sensor on the right side near the heart of the gamecock, a second sensor on the left side near the heart of the gamecock, a third sensor on the right side near the back of the gamecock, a fourth sensor on the left side near the back of the gamecock, a fifth sensor centrally located near the trachea of the gamecock.
 16. The device of claim 10 where there are a plurality of sensors and a microprocessor carried by the garment, at least some of the sensors corresponding to different numerical scores, said microprocessor being programmed to generate digital signals corresponding to said different numerical scores depending on which sensor is struck during the cock fight.
 17. A device that detects strikes received by individual gamecocks during a cock fight, including a garment adapted to be worn on a body of a gamecock, said garment including a plurality of sensors positioned at a predetermined locations on the garment, each sensor being activated when struck during the cock fight and at least some of the sensors corresponding to different numerical scores, each said sensor generating and transmitting a signal each time it is struck during the cock fight.
 18. The device of claim 17, when worn by a gamecock, including a first sensor on the right side near the heart of the gamecock, a second sensor on the left side near the heart of the gamecock, a third sensor on the right side near the back of the gamecock, a fourth sensor on the left side near the back of the gamecock, a fifth sensor centrally located near the trachea of the gamecock.
 19. The device of claim 17 where there are a plurality of sensors and a microprocessor carried by the garment, at least some of the sensors corresponding to different numerical scores, said microprocessor being programmed to generate digital signals corresponding to said different numerical scores depending on which sensor is struck during the cock fight.
 20. A device that detects strikes received by individual gamecocks during a cock fight, including a garment adapted to be worn on a torso of a gamecock and including a neck opening through which the head of a gamecock extends when wearing the garment and a pair of leg openings through which each individual leg a gamecock extends when wearing the garment, said garment including at least one sensor positioned at a predetermined location on the garment that is activated when struck during the cock fight to generate and transmit a scoring signal each time said sensor is struck during the cock fight. 